Event in Delhi - Fintech Roundtable

 Zell organised a Round Table on Fintech Education and ESG, in a Delhi Aerocity hotel on Sept. 25th, 2024, and I was one of the invitees. Deloitte was a partner, and Zell is doing a program along with Deloitte for colleges now, where they will teach a few courses as part of a certification, soon.

Anyway, Suresh Prabhu, ex-CA and ex-minister, addressed the gathering too. He quipped that we make Finance subjects tough so that the Deloittes of the world, or KPMGs of the world, can flourish! Also another highlight was Salman from Zerodha who talked about not scaling up their manpower, and putting customers first- a rarity now, in spite of the many years of talking about customers' importance to businesses.

All in all, an interesting event. We discussed how industry intervention in classrooms may or may not help in the long run. A highlight for me was meeting two people. One, the ex-director of KIAMS Harihar, Dr. Biswal, and Dr. Taruna Gautam, VC of IILM University, Greater NOIDA, who was next to me at the table. She was kind enough to tell me that she had used and recommended my Marketing Research book when she taught Research Methods. That made my day!

Toxic Culture at Workplaces

 A recent death of a young worker at an Accounts/Audit firm has brought the culture of overtime work into focus. Mostly, this is unpaid labour, and therefore unfair.

Employees have a life beyond work, so if they do their fair share, they don't deserve extra work being dumped on them, unless it's a once-in-a-long- while exception. That may not have been the case here. 

Managers need to use empathy, especially while working with a new inductee. I have heard stories from some ex-students about work culture, and some are not so great. Some also want to know how to switch from corporate jobs to academia, in the hope that that will provide a better balance of work and life. True, mostly.

Karaoke in a Hat

 For a change, we did it in an Assamese hat.

Round Table by IDA at Yashobhoomi

 Yashobhoomi is the new Pragati Maidan, at Dwarka. I was there for a Round Table, a part of TIESS organised by IDA, a think tank. Only a small group of invited participants debated various issues related to Education, and submitted recommendations. Some pics-

He was with Kirloskar, and is now with Ajeenkya D.Y. Patil, as a mgt. faculty. Dr. Gupta

Our recommendations in brief.

Grand Canyon of India - Raneh Falls

 I had never heard of these falls, having lived in M.P. for nearly 9 years now. A point to ponder for M.P. Tourism? Anyway, the taxi driver mentioned it on the way from Orchha to Khajuraho, and it was also the right time- monsoon was still on, so there was lots of water. The Panna Reserve Forest is also right there.. remember Panna Diamond mines? And Heera Panna, the film? The river is Ken, by the way. We also saw the Betwa- stayed on its banks, in Orchha just before this.

Khajuraho Temples and Erotic Sculptures

 What beautiful temple architecture! Khajuraho is one of a kind, with many different temples. Very impressive, for their depiction of the art of love-making, and also the carving quality.

Lots of pics, to be treasured. 

Orchha Report

 A trip to Orchha in Sept. 2024 brought us to this beautiful resort by the Betwa river called Bundelkhand Riverside Retreat, run by a member of the erstwhile royal family. The fort is a short walk or tuk tuk ride away. The pics speak for themselves-